• Heldana Amenu is a rising junior from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia studying Economics on the Professional track. At Brown, she serves as the Treasurer of Brown Eritrean and Ethiopian Students Association and Vice President of Finances for Black in Business at Brown. She is interested in the role of policies in gender and educational equality in both developed and developing countries. Outside of Brown, she worked with Studio Samuel Foundation as an intern to the research and teaching teams and with Counseling and Test Preparation Ethiopia to provide mentorship and guidance for students applying to colleges in the US. In her free time, she enjoys reading classic fictions, baking, singing and exploring Providence.

  
• Andrew Cabrera is a rising junior from Prince George’s County, Maryland studying Economics and Statistics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) as a scholar in the UMBC Meyerhoff Scholars Program. His previous research experiences include; studying at UMBC investigating Sub-Saharan African literacy rates and primary education- documenting trends and primary school enrollment, as well as studying at the University of Maryland College Park School of Business where his work evaluated defined contribution plans, trends, and assessments of customer change rates in relation to fees. Outside of school, Andrew is a self-proclaimed “foodie”, always trying new foods. He enjoys going on walks, listening to music, playing sports, and hanging out with friends.

  
• Malcolm Certain is a rising junior from Seattle studying Applied Mathematics-Economics and Urban Studies. They are planning to go to graduate school in economics to study education and urban policy. They also work as a teaching assistant in the Math and Economics departments at Brown. Outside of class, they like to unwind by listening to jazz, playing video games, or trying new restaurants.

  
• Natalia Baños Delgado (She/They) is a rising junior from Cartagena, Colombia, concentrating in Social Analysis & Research and International & Public Affairs. At Brown, she is a Junior Coordinator of the International Mentoring Program, as well as a Sexual Health Peer Educator with the Sexual Health Awareness Group. They are also very passionate about their Colombian and Latinx heritage and are an engaged member of these communities, serving as an executive board member for the Colombian Student Association and as a Tech director for Brown’s latinx dance troupe, Mezcla. She also enjoys being a proud member of the a cappella groups Shades of Brown and Harmonic Motion. They are interested in researching about immigration dynamics and the protection of immigrants’ rights, as well as the intersection between ethnicity, gender and sexuality in the shaping ofthe social perception of minorities.

  
• Cole Francis is a rising junior from Chicago, IL, concentrating in economics and environmental studies at Brown University. He plays an integral role on the board of the Brown Concert Agency, bringing Spring Weekend to fruition annually. Cole has also been involved in Black Student Union as Treasurer. During summer 2022, he worked for the Office of the City of Chicago Treasurer on the Investments Team and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team. Previously, Cole worked for Brown Pre-College Programs as a Program Assistant. His on-campus jobs have spanned from The Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice to the John D. Rockefeller Library. On campus, Cole encourages community-building and inclusivity through the programs he engages in. His main interests include bettering the environment and his community, vegetarianism, cycling, thrifting, and DJing on-campus and in Providence.

  
• Zak Hashi is a rising junior from Birmingham, UK who is majoring in Economics and Computer Science. At Brown, Zak is a member of Brown debate and FinTech and is very interested in learning Arabic and French. He is very interested in being able to combining the fields of computer science and economics to find data-driven solutions to the world’s problems.

  
• Ruby Howland is a rising Junior from Providence, Rhode Island. She’s concentrating in Political Science and Sociology but also has a strong interest in education. She’s interested in exploring public policy, the social sciences, and law. This fall, Ruby plans on studying abroad in Athens, Greece. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, going on runs, and exploring new coffee shops.

  
• Catherine Manning is a rising senior from Hingham, Massachusetts. She is concentrating in History and pursuing a Certificate in Data Fluency. At Brown, she is Co-President of the Brown Opinion Project, a copy editor for the Brown Daily Herald, and a Meiklejohn Peer Advisor. Previously, she worked on a research project for the Cogut Institute on the history of Andrews House, and also likes to spend time volunteering at the John Brown House Museum.

  
• Brianna Paliz is a rising sophomore from Miami, Florida, and planning on concentrating in Political science and Economics. At Brown, she is involved in the Brown Political Review as a staff writer, a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, an analyst for the Multilingual Education team in Brown Initiative for Politics, and the student representative on the Public Education Committee. Outside of Brown, she worked at the Rhode Island State House for the RIBLIA Caucus this past semester. She is interested in studying the intersection of politics, economics, and education. During her free time, she enjoys listening to music, reading books, and traveling.

  
• Seth Peiris is a rising junior from Maplewood, New Jersey concentrating in Applied Mathematics-Economics. His interests in economics began with questions about the roots and maintenance of societal inequities— questions that he hopes to continue to explore in his academic career. At Brown, he is an executive board member of the Food Recovery Network, the secretary-treasurer of Shades of Brown A Capella, a music director for Harmonic Motion A Capella, and a Meiklejohn Peer Advisor. He is an avid enjoyer of history, the performing arts, and the outdoors.

  
• Derrick Pennix is a rising senior from Indiana concentrating in Economics on the public policy track and Music. At Brown, he has been an avid teaching assistant for many courses in the music department and is particularly interested in public policy as it relates to human rights and democracy. In his free time, he enjoys animating and performing in the Brown University jazz band and other student bands across campus as a trumpet player.

  
• Mikael Oberlin is a rising senior from Taunton, Massachusetts, concentrating in Political Science and Economics. At Brown, he has been involved in various leadership roles, including routinely serving on the Undergraduate Finance Board and the Political Science Department Undergraduate Group. Furthermore, he holds associate positions on the business boards of the Intercollegiate Finance Journal and Brown Journal of World Affairs. Additionally, Mikael has interned at the National Coalition for Homelessness, conducting research on nationwide civil rights abuses against unhoused individuals, as well as the Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

  
• Patrick Rourke is a rising senior from North Haven, Connecticut, studying Education Studies and Social Analysis and Research. At Brown, he is leader in the Meiklejohn Peer Advising Program, a leader in the Education Department Undergraduate Group, a member of the UCS Polling Committee, and a member of the Brown Jazz Band. He is interested in exploring how both quantitative and qualitative data can be used to inform policy in public education. In his free time, Patrick enjoys playing pickup basketball and playing the saxophone.

  
• AJ Wu is a rising junior from Rockville, Maryland studying Computer Science and Economics on the Public Policy track. At Brown, AJ is a team lead of Brown Initiative for Policy’s Older Adult team, a writer for post- Magazine, and a teaching assistant in the Computer Science department. They are interested in public health and disparities in healthcare access. In their free time, AJ likes reading, gaming, and practicing aikido.

  

• Emily Baek (she/her) is a rising sophomore at Brown University from Troy, Michigan. She is currently pursuing degrees in Cognitive Science and Economics while exploring topics in applied math. At Brown, she is involved with the Brown Consulting Club and Brown Women's Pre-Law Association. She also works as a research assistant within the CLPS department. She is interested in exploring various applications of data analysis to practice empathetic, socially responsible problem solving. In her free time, she enjoys playing cello, reading longform journalism, and taking long walks.

  
• Patrick Bai is a rising junior from Alexandria, Virginia studying Applied Mathematics. At Brown, he is involved with the Vital Documents Team at Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere. Previously, he worked as a research assistant on the effects of electronic monitoring on pretrial defendants in criminal courts, and he is interested broadly in how public policy impacts community wellbeing. He also enjoys dancing with the Brown Ballroom Dance Team.

   
• Jordan Coutts is a rising sophomore from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania concentrating in Social Analysis and Research and Hispanic Studies. At Brown, she copy edits for the College Hill Independent, works with the Brown Tutoring Corps at Times2 STEM Academy, and is a member of the Brown chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Rhode Island. She’s particularly interested in researching systemic inequalities as well as political polarization and radicalization. In her free time, she enjoys swimming with the Brown Swim Club, reading fiction novels, and listening to music. 

  
• Nina Lucia Della-Giacoma is a rising sophomore from Montgomery County, Maryland, majoring in Economics and Global Studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). At UMBC she is a member of the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars program and event programmer for the UMBC Student Events Board (seb). She is also involved in student advocacy and volunteering at Great Kids Farm to expand educational resources for Multi-Language Learners. She is especially interested in the impact of education, stable housing, and welfare programs on economic outcomes.

  
• Emmett Dubnoff is a rising junior from Lower Merion, Pennsylvania studying statistics and literary arts. At Brown, they play ultimate frisbee, are a member of West House (an environmental program house), and work at BWell as a Sexual Health Awareness Group (SHAG) peer educator. Emmett is passionate about building a justice oriented Jewish community; they are very involved in Jewish life on campus, serve as the Brown U ambassador of the Workers Circle, and are a religious school teacher at Temple Beth-El. In their free time, they love reading novels, fiction writing, and cooking new dishes.

  
• Madison Duff is a rising Junior from Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan concentrating in Applied Mathematics-Economics on the mathematical finance track and pursuing a Certificate in Intercultural Competence for American Sign Language. At Brown, she is President of Bouncing Bears, Brown’s jump roping club and Treasurer for Brown Salsa Club. In the fall, she will be President of Harambee House, Brown’s Black inclusive housing dorm, and Chair of Campus Relations for Black in Business at Brown (BiBB). In addition, she works as an Intramural and Club Sports Supervisor and outside of Brown she helps with her family’s flower shop. In her free time, she enjoys line dancing, reading, and playing volleyball with friends. 

  
• Emily Feil is a rising sophomore from New York who plans to concentrate in economics and English. On campus, she is a senior staff writer for the Brown Daily Herald, an editor for the Brown Political Review, and a member of the Brown Tutoring Corps. She is interested in exploring topics across economic development, education policy, public health, and law. Outside of class, she enjoys writing, swimming, and finding new coffee shops in Providence.

  
• Ivan Jerez (he/him) is a Social Analysis & Research concentrator from West New York, New Jersey. . He's especially interested in using data to tell stories about people, power, and society. He also has a passion for education and previously supported students with college essay writing. Ivan loves volleyball and is always looking for an excuse to go out and play. Feel free to chat with him about politics, basketball, science fiction, and comic books!

  
• Shine Lee is a rising sophomore from Orange County, California, concentrating in Mathematics and Economics. At Brown, she serves as the incoming Vice President of the Applied Mathematics Departmental Undergraduate Group, an Insights Analyst for Global Research and Consulting, and a Wellness Peer Educator with BWell. She is interested in applying mathematical and statistical models to study market behavior, economic risk, and decision-making under uncertainty, focusing on how quantitative analysis can inform policy design, economic development, and behavioral outcomes. Outside academics, she enjoys trying new foods, biking, and listening to music.

  
• Cunyan Ma (she/they) is a rising junior from Shanghai, China studying Social Analysis and Research and pursuing a fifth year master in Urban Education Policy. At Brown, she is a dancer inTempo, an E-board member at CARE (Community Activism for Restoring Empathy), a proud resident of North House, and a frequenter of BCSC and Sarah Doyle Center. Outside of Brown, she does AI & Education Policy research with MIT Media Lab and teaches at various occasions. She loves plants, hanging with kids, cooking Chinese dishes, and imagining a better world.

  
• Belen Sanchez Mathews is a rising sophomore from Arlington, Massachusetts, concentrating in International & Public Affairs on the Development Track and pursuing a Certificate in Data Fluency. At Brown, Belen is the Treasurer of the Jabberwocks a cappella group and a Leader in the Brown Outing Club, and next year she will be working as a Meiklejohn Peer Advisor. Her research interests include Latin American politics, cross-cultural identities, and social and political determinants of health. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Providence’s coffee shops, running down the East Bay Bike Path, and sewing.

  
• Lela Miller is a rising sophomore from Narberth, Pennsylvania. She is planning to concentrate in Education and Applied Math. At Brown, she plays viola in the Brown University Orchestra and volunteers through Brown Tutoring Corps at local schools. Outside school, she enjoys running, journaling, and trying new coffee shops.

  
• Max Robinson is a junior from Zionsville, Indiana concentrating in economics. At Brown, Max is a member of the Brown Initiative for Policy Community Health Team, an editor at the Journal of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, a research assistant with the Annenberg Institute, and a teaching assistant in the Department of Economics. He is interested in researching social insurance programs, rural poverty, education, and labor economics. Max hopes to pursue graduate studies in both economics and law. In his free time, you can often find Max taking photos for the Brown Daily Herald, reading, or practicing his Mandarin.

  
• Ryan Zou is a rising sophomore from Ellicott City, Maryland. He is currently planning to concentrate in Applied Mathematics-Economics and considering a degree in Mathematics. At Brown, Ryan is a member of the club Taekwondo team, for which he is an equipment chair. He also participates in the Brown University Band, where he is the business manager. Outside of Brown, he enjoys exploring new places, working out, and listening to music.

  

Research Fellow Cohorts

SUCCESS: Implementation of comprehensive student supports at scale in Massachusetts community colleges

This project studies the implementation of SUCCESS, a statewide initiative that provides wraparound supports across all 15 community colleges in Massachusetts. It is conducted in partnership with the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges and supported by funding from the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation and Brown University.

Associated Publications:

This project investigates the extent to which integrating personalized, course-specific chatbot communication into gateway postsecondary math and English courses can improve students’ academic performance, sense of belonging, retention, and completion at scale. The work is conducted in partnership with the National Institute for Student Success, Georgia State University, Morgan State University, and the University of Central Florida, with support from the U.S. Department of Education.

Innovations in proactive communication and support for STEM success: Implementation and impact of a course-specific text message chatbot in introductory undergraduate chemistry

This project evaluates whether and how integrating personalized, course-specific chatbot communication into an introductory chemistry course affects students’ course persistence, engagement, performance, and take-up of supplemental course supports. This work is conducted in partnership with the National Institute for Student Success and Georgia State University, with support from Ascendium Education Group.

Associated Publications: